AIMM Therapeutics BV, an oncology focused developer of novel tumor specific therapeutic antibodies sourced directly from elite responders to immune therapy or from immunized animals, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive license and option agreement with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) regarding a series of AIMM’s tumor specific antibodies directed against an undisclosed target expressed on many different tumor types. In addition, MSD has an exclusive option on a second series of AIMM’s tumor specific antibodies directed against a different tumor target.

Under the terms of the agreement between AIMM and MSD, through a subsidiary, MSD will make an undisclosed upfront payment and future success-based payments. MSD will be responsible for development, manufacturing and commercialization. Additional details were not disclosed.

“We are excited that MSD, as a leader in the field of immuno-oncology, recognizes the unique synergy and clinical potential offered by AIMM’s tumor specific antibodies in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for cancer patients who have limited or no responses to checkpoint inhibitors alone” said Jan de Vries, AIMM’s CEO.

ABOUT AIMM –Therapeutics

AIMM Therapeutics is a science driven, privately owned biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel tumor specific antibodies for the treatment of hematological and solid tumors. Utilizing its proprietary AIMSelect platform which allows an effective immortalization of the complete B-cell repertoire, AIMM has generated a pipeline of unique antibodies from immunized non-human species including rabbits, rats and mice or from selected tumor patients who were cured and in good health after immunotherapy. AIMM has demonstrated that the cured patients, designated as “elite responders”, are a very valuable source of tumor-neutralizing antibodies. These human antibodies are thought to have contributed to the complete remissions in the patients from whom they were derived, have excellent physico-chemical characteristics and can be considered to be safe.

AIMM Therapeutics is currently advancing two of its lead antibodies, AT1413 and AT1412 which will enter clinical development in 2018 for AML/Myelodysplastic Syndrome, and pancreatic and colon cancer respectively.
For more information: www.aimmtherapeutics.com